In a Sports Illustrated story NBA center Jason Collins came out, becoming the first openly gay active player in major sports April 29, 2013.

In a Sports Illustrated story NBA center Jason Collins came out, becoming the first openly gay active player in major sports April 29, 2013.

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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After professional basketball player Jason Collins comes out publicly as being gay, his aunt, Judge Teri Jackson (First African American woman on SF Superior Court) holds a press conference in the court house in support of her pioneering nephew on Monday April 29, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Jackson said her nephew had received a phone call from President Obama earlier in the day. less

After professional basketball player Jason Collins comes out publicly as being gay, his aunt, Judge Teri Jackson (First African American woman on SF Superior Court) holds a press conference in the court house ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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After professional basketball player Jason Collins comes out publicly as being gay, his aunt, Judge Teri Jackson (First African American woman on SF Superior Court) holds a press conference in the court house in support of her pioneering nephew on Monday April 29, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Jackson said her nephew had received a phone call from President Obama earlier in the day. less

After professional basketball player Jason Collins comes out publicly as being gay, his aunt, Judge Teri Jackson (First African American woman on SF Superior Court) holds a press conference in the court house ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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In a Sports Illustrated story NBA center Jason Collins came out, becoming the first openly gay active player in major sports April 29, 2013.

In a Sports Illustrated story NBA center Jason Collins came out, becoming the first openly gay active player in major sports April 29, 2013.

Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

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In this Jan. 20, 2013 file photo, then-Boston Celtics center Jason Collins (98) guards Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich. Jason Collins has become the first male professional athlete in the major four American sports leagues to come out as gay. less

Collins, who is now a free agent, has played 12 years in the league with six different teams. He goes on to say in his essay that:

I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, “I’m different.” If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.

Collins said he knew he had to go public with his sexuality after seeing his Stanford roommate Joe Kennedy (the Congressman from Massachusetts) march in the 2012 Boston Gay Pride Parade. He longed to show that he too was proud of who he was.

After coming out to Kennedy, Collins was invited to march in this year’s parade.

Roy Simmons: A former guard for the New York Giants, who also made a Super Bowl Appearance with the Washington Redskins in 1984.

Roy Simmons: A former guard for the New York Giants, who also made a Super Bowl Appearance with the Washington Redskins in 1984.

Photo: Matthew Peyton / Getty Images

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Billy Bean: The former major league baseball player from 1987-1995 came out in 1999.

Billy Bean: The former major league baseball player from 1987-1995 came out in 1999.

Photo: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

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Esera Tuaolo: The Samoan played with five NFL teams between 1991 and 1999. Tuaolo came out in 2002 on ESPN.

Esera Tuaolo: The Samoan played with five NFL teams between 1991 and 1999. Tuaolo came out in 2002 on ESPN.

Photo: Carley Margolis / FilmMagic

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Dave Kopay: The retired NFL running back's pro career spanned 1964-1972. In 1975 Kopay became one of the first former pro athletes to come out.

Dave Kopay: The retired NFL running back's pro career spanned 1964-1972. In 1975 Kopay became one of the first former pro athletes to come out.

Photo: John Preito / Denver Post via Getty Images

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John Amaechi: Born in Boston and raised in England, Amaechi played in the NBA from 1995 to 2003. Amaechi made his sexual orientation public in 2008.

John Amaechi: Born in Boston and raised in England, Amaechi played in the NBA from 1995 to 2003. Amaechi made his sexual orientation public in 2008.

Photo: Cambridge Jones / Getty Images

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Glenn Burke: The former major league ballplayer is said to have been the first player who was known as gay to his teammates, but not publicly. He played with the Dodgers and the Athletics between 1976-1979 and died of AIDS-related complications in 1995. less

Glenn Burke: The former major league ballplayer is said to have been the first player who was known as gay to his teammates, but not publicly. He played with the Dodgers and the Athletics between 1976-1979 and ... more